Infestation
The biggest commotion during the battle of the pool must have been when Visser One tried to escape. There were far too many Andalites for any one of them to know or recognize all the others, and the Andalite-Controller hid among them, fighting with them, making sure no-one got more than a quick glance of his face. If anyone suspected anything, they didn't have time or chance to think further about it before the Andalite-Controller was lost in the sea of Andalites versus Hork-Bajir and Taxxons - and even human-Controllers.
It would have worked, if not for the rebels. Each and every one of them knew to recognize the Visser's - or more properly Alloran's - face. And finally one of them suddenly growled and leaped at the Andalite-Controller, roaring "Visser!".
The reaction was instantaneous. And when Visser One's tail flashed down to end the rebel who had clenched his hands around the Andalite-Controller's throat, three real Andalites were there to stop it. Five other Andalites fought him down and cleared an area around him.
War-Prince Carfaril-Semithuril-Althagij was called to inspect the prisoner. As well as being responsible for the entire mission, he was a relative of Alloran and had dealt with Visser One many times before. And when he confirmed Alloran's identity, a roar of victory was heard from rebels and Andalites alike.
A formal execution was to be held. Hork-Bajir stormed forwards to save their Visser but were held back by a circle of moonblades that hovered above.
Alloran and the Yeerk in his head were saved by Prince-captain Nemsar, who stepped forwards and bowed to the War-Prince. My cousin was killed by this creature, he reminded the crowd. My cousin, Prince Elfangor. I feel that the one to end Visser One should be his younger brother, Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthil, to restore his honour.
War-Prince Carfaril, seeing nothing wrong with the suggestion, agreed immediately. He ordered aristh Aximili found and brought to him.
With Aximili came the group of humans known as the Animorphs. Aximili was a bit unsteady, trembling, being among the top of the Andalite military all of a sudden, and receiving all their attention, after only being the only Andalite in the war of Earth for such a long time - as well as still being a lowly aristh.
But when War-Prince Carfaril ordered him to finish what "the Andalite fleet should have done a long time ago", he hesitated, tail in attack and his main eyes watching the stubbornly silent and motionless Andalite-Controller with uncertainty.
Prince Jake? he said. The Andalites muttered a few harsh words - human being a Prince, what nonsense, the aristh needed a few good lessons in…
"Do as they ask, Ax," Jake said and nodded.
That's not it, Ax said. This… this Andalite-Controller. It is not Visser One.
Rachel's eyes narrowed. "You see it too, do you?" she said. "I knew there was something different about him."
What are you talking about? War-Prince Carfaril demanded. Finish your task, aristh, or I'll have someone else do it. I am not a patient Andalite.
"We've noticed," Marco said dryly. "But I'm with Ax. That's not Visser One. It's the wrong… wrong expression. Wrong attitude. Wrong way of standing - everything's wrong." He shuddered. "I know that nutcase when I see him, and that's not him."
"Are you sure?" Cassie asked.
Ax, Rachel, Marco and Tobias all nodded. "You if anyone should notice," Tobias said to Cassie.
Is this true? Carfaril asked the Andalite-Controller.
Alloran's face sneered. But then he nodded. It is so, he said. I am Rheith. And you, Andalite scum, will never find the glorious Visser now!
Cassie sighed, almost with relief. "Good to know that," she said. "Cause this is not Jake, either." And she quickly got out of his reach to stand next to Rachel, who stepped in between them and clenched her fists warningly when Jake grabbed after Cassie's arm.
Jake pulled back from Rachel's hostile glare. "Cass… what are you talking about?"
Cassie shook her head. "No use," she said. "You can't fool me. I know Jake. Jake would have reacted in a completely different way if he'd met me in that tunnel like that."
"But, Cassie…"
"No dead bodies in the tunnel, after you supposedly been heavily guarded and escaped from it. No alive guards, either, just a clear route out," she continued, ignoring him. "Unnatural. I could smell it; it was too easy. But it was the paw that convinced me. You think I don't recognize a tiger's bite when I see one? Very clever, Yeerk, but you should have asked one of your Hork-Bajir to cut it for you instead."
Alloran's face was unreadable, while Jake's eyes had grown dark. Cassie crossed her arms over her chest with a sad, determined expression.
This is the Visser? Carfaril said, watching Jake.
"Perhaps," Cassie said. "It's a Controller."
"And Rheith?" Marco wondered, nodding towards the Andalite-Controller.
"Some sub-Visser, probably," Rachel guessed. "Starve the Yeerk out and you'll have Alloran back," she told the Andalites. "If you want him back, that is. From what I heard, he wasn't always so nice."
That is up to us, Carfaril growled. He was still watching Jake. Tell me, Yeerk, who are you?
"Who cares who I am? You'll kill me anyway, thanks to this human." He stabbed a finger at Cassie, and then glared at the War-Prince. "Won't you, War-Prince Carfaril? Strike first and ask questions later, that's our War-Prince. Just like Alloran, huh? Always wondered which of you was the worst."
Carfaril straightened up and his tail swooped gracefully into attack. There was no way he could mistake that sneer, that tone of voice, may it be disguised as Andalite or human or anything else. And there was no way he intended to ever meet that sneer or that tone of voice again. Visser.
"Maybe so," spat Jake.
Aristh Aximili? There is your brother's murderer. You know what to do.
Ax didn't even cock his tail. He shook his head. No, he said. The Visser will have to be starved out.
What are you saying, aristh?! Carfaril shouted. I! Want! That! Yeerk! Dead!
You better do as you're told, Aximili, Nemsar advised silently in private thought-speech. He's not funny when he's angry. Do as he says.
Ax refused. I will strike the Yeerk, he declared, but added softer, stalks lowered; Not the host.
Do you defy a direct order from your War-Prince?!
"Hey," Rachel said. "I don't know what you know about our Ax-man here, but that" she pointed at Jake "happens to be his entire chain of command. His Prince, if you couldn't figure it out. As well as my cousin. Not one of the Animorphs or the rebels want to see him infested. But none want him dead, either. So BACK OFF!!"
An agreeing mumble was heard from the rebels, and here and there in the crowd, a morphable started morphing - to their battlemorphs.
"You should have left them in their cages," Rachel snapped. "Because when angry, they're not a pleasant bunch."
Carfaril didn't look concerned about the humans, which made Rachel's face darken further. She didn't seem to know if she should attack Carfaril or the Yeerk that had taken over her cousin first.
"Jake's been infested once before," Tobias said, as Cassie put a hand on Rachel's arm to calm her down. Rachel shook it off. "We handled it then. We can handle it now."
I'm sure you can. But I am the War-Prince here. As such, I take orders only from the War Council itself. One of my orders was to put an end to the Yeerk called Visser One. I don't care if he's in a Gedd, Taxxon, Hork-Bajir, human or Andalite. I want him dead! Is that clear, aristh Aximili?
Ax didn't move. Carfaril quivered, about to explode again. But he said, in a very controlled voice; If you will not, you aristh keerach, I shall kill him myself.
His tail flashed.
Jake - or the Yeerk in his head - did not have time to move.
Ax's tail was grabbed by Nemsar, reminding him not to intervene.
Carfaril's tail-blade swooped downwards.
It was blocked just a few centimetres from Jake's head by the small, sleek blade of a female. Carfaril's eyes flashed with surprise as Larynia danced in between him and the infested leader of the resistance, and the surprise turned to fury as she skilfully forced him to back away.
I don't know who promoted you to War-Prince, she said. But you don't have the mental control for it. We all know what happened between you and Visser One. You've got too many emotions. And you can't keep a single one of them in check.
Larynia! Nemsar shouted. What are you doing? Get out of his way!
Oh, shut up.
Who do you think you are? Carfaril demanded.
Not one of your arisths, Larynia replied. So don't try to boss me around. I'm with the humans and Aximili. Starve the Yeerk out, spare the host. Death from Kandrona starvation is said to be very… unpleasant. A painful, slow death instead of a quick one. I know I'm not in your chain of command, but you sure as four moons aren't in mine. And since this happens to be an infested human, it is for the humans to deal with.
"I almost feel honoured," Jake said. "Good Andalite. Good female. Sign my release form as well, thank you."
Larynia ignored the Yeerk. She was busy watching Carfaril; if he had had teeth, they would have been gritted down to powder by then. He was steaming. Remove her!
Nemsar's fingers twitched into fists that opened again immediately. He didn't seem aware of it, but he was probably aware of the two Andalite warriors that closed in on Larynia, one from each side.
But Larynia simply leaped out of the first one's way, and struck with the flat of her blade at the his head. He slumped together. The second turned to face her, tail swiping long before hers was even back in defence.
Hold your position, Prince Nemsar! Carfaril barked as Nemsar took a step forwards. A pair of arisths blocked Ax's way just as quickly.
Nemsar shuddered, but froze where he was. Retreat! he ordered.
The remaining warrior backed away automatically. Larynia took a step back to where she had stood first, tail up in attack again, watching her opponent with calculating main eyes.
"Good one," Rachel congratulated in a low voice.
No. It'll do us little good, Larynia disagreed. I just made him mad. If you want your Prince to still be alive for another hour, we need to think of something. Quickly.
Nemsar was honoured by a poisonous glare from the War-Prince. NEVER do that again, he warned, in a voice that made a good number of the arisths as well as some warriors feel uneasy. You heard me?
Nemsar agreed by bowing his head, after a short pause, and Carfaril accepted it by flicking his tail to the side and saying; And now, Prince Nemsar; if your sister is not out of my way in the next moment, I must warn you that there is a certain risk to her good health.
A short pause, during which Larynia stretched up to her full height and glared at the War-Prince.
Larynia! Nemsar roared, using his Prince-captain voice. Don't you realize what you're doing? You're protecting a condemned prisoner. A condemned Yeerk prisoner!
SHUT UP, Nemsar! I know exactly what I'm doing. I'm sentencing the Yeerk to a slow, painful death and saving an innocent host.
Get out of the War-Prince's way this instant, Nemsar growled.
Or else? Larynia replied, challenging, elegantly cocking her tail.
Nemsar hesitated. But, gathering his courage, he threw himself forwards. Straight into his sister. She would have gotten out of his way in time, if she'd had more space to move. But next to her on the floor was still the unconscious warrior, behind her was Jake, and the Animorphs, and in front of her was Carfaril. The flat of her tail struck his side with all her strength, but it didn't slow him down.
The momentum and impact sent them both rolling. A few Andalites leaped out of their way as Nemsar got to his feet - quicker than Larynia, since he'd been prepared for it - and, before she had gotten up, lay down on top of her, locked her tail-blade against the floor in his own and calmly brought both her hands up behind her back and held them in place. Larynia thrashed and kicked, stalks circling madly, but, lying on her side and realising just how much heavier than her Nemsar really was, she couldn't get up.
There's a first, Ax said silently.
"I didn't know Andalites did wrestling!" Marco exclaimed.
We don't, Ax informed him.
Carfaril nodded grimly. Good, Prince Nemsar. Make sure she stays there.
Nemsar didn't answer, but more importantly; he didn't disagree.
Jake took a step back as Carfaril turned towards him. Black and orange fur sprouted on his fingers, racing up his arms and along his entire body, as the Yeerk in him focused on the tiger.
"He's morphing!" Tobias warned, unnecessarily.
Carfaril's tail fwapped forwards for the killing strike.
Jake, half-tiger, half-human, dove out of the way with tiger speed and when he came up the last parts of him were melting into tiger. He was on all fours, ears back, lip curled, head lowered and snarling. Keep back!
"Ehm, Carfaril, or whatever your name was," Marco said. He was morphing, as the others - except for Tobias, now a human nothlit - and a few steps backed away. "I strongly advice you to do as he says."
Nonsense! Carfaril said. He took a step forwards, preparing a strike.
Jake leaped. About as fast as Carfaril could strike, his claws had adorned the War-Prince's face with four new, deep, bleeding cuts. Jake returned to his place on the ground. He almost avoided Carfaril's tail, that only left a small cut over his left front leg. I know how fast you strike, Carfaril, he said mockingly. I also know that, in this host, in this morph, I am just as fast.
Before anyone could stop him, Jake had leaped again. Carfaril's tail was back in attack, and he manage to slash across the tiger's shoulders, but not much smaller than a truck stops a leaping tiger.
Bared teeth, jaws wide open, and claws ready, the tiger flew at Carfaril's unprotected throat.
A beam of light!
Jake was stopped right in front of the War-Prince's face, centimetres from it. Centimetres that grew when Carfaril backed half a step away, preparing a strike.
Jake - twitching and struggling, kicking wildly in open air - flew upwards, in a perfectly straight line, up to the belly of one of the sleek moonblade fighters.
Tractor beam, Ax explained.
I wouldn't care what it's called, Cassie said. The important thing is, who's got Jake and the Visser now?
Carfaril's main eyes followed the tiger upwards, towards the fighter, tail twitching. Put him down!
War-Prince Carfaril, Merin's voice said. I believe, with all due respect, that a reconsideration would be wise.
Who are you?!!
Fighter pilot Merin-Arethil-Coorat.
Since when does a simple fighter pilot tell a War-Prince what to do?! Carfaril raged. Put that Yeerk scum down!
Merin! Don't you dare! Larynia shouted.
I contacted the Head of Council, Lerim-Arrepoth-Terrouss, Merin said calmly. You might remember saying that you only take orders from the War Council. War-Prince, the War Council has orders to give. Will you listen?
Carfaril's face was dark but he had lowered his tail and assumed a respectful pose. Of course. On screen.
A hologram shimmered into existence in front of Merin's moonblade fighter. Head of Council Lerim's well-known stern face appeared on it, all four eyes searched out and focused on Carfaril, his gaze like icy spears.
War-Prince! he thundered. Carfaril stayed still. I heard what you were trying to do. And I am not pleased! Do you hear me?!
Yes, Carfaril said. A few of the warriors and arisths standing around him carefully moved away, as not to attract the Head of Council's furious gaze.
So you can listen, after all. Good. Continue doing that, because here are your orders; make sure that human stays ALIVE.
I like him, Rachel said with a grizzly grin.
Carfaril didn't even twitch. Why, if I may ask?
No you may not ask, War-Prince. You've got your orders. Now make sure you follow them. OR I WILL PERSONALLY COME DOWN THERE AND DEMOTE YOUR SORRY TAIL TO RUNNING ERRANDS FOR AN ARISTH!!!! Do you understand, War-Prince Carfaril?
Understood, Carfaril confirmed sourly. But what about the Yeerk? The Visser?
Don't bother me with details, War-Prince, Lerim said coldly, and then the entire pool area recoiled as he continued in a voice to blow mountains away; STARVE HIM! IS THERE SOMETHING IN THAT SENTENCE YOU HAVE DIFFICULTY COMPREHENDING?!!!
No, Lerim, Carfaril managed in a little more shaky tone of voice.
Lerim's stalks flicked away to the sides, scanning the pool area, while his main eyes watched Carfaril critically. Fighter pilot Merin, he said finally. I thank you for informing me about this… situation. his stalks stopped travelling around the pool area and he formed a typical Andalite eyes-only smile. Prince Nemsar.
Yes, Nemsar confirmed.
You can let your sister up now, Prince Nemsar, Lerim continued. That is no way to treat a lady.
Nemsar did as he was told, going as far as stretching down a hand to help Larynia back on her hooves. Larynia swiped his hand away with the flat of her blade, got up and promptly turned her back to him. She smiled her sweetest smile at Lerim and bowed her head down respectfully. The Head of Council is correct, Nemsar, she said, almost purring. Absolutely not the way to treat a lady. she honoured her brother with a triumphant stalk-glare sharp as a tail-blade.
Yeah, treat the ladies with respect, Marco said with fake cheerfulness. Even the one's who'll chop your head off if they don't like you.
What an excellent idea, Larynia snapped, turning towards the gorilla, tail raised. Let me try it.
I don't think we should go that far… Marco objected.
Rachel laughed. Ax and a number of rebels joined in, while the rest of the Andalites glanced uncertainly at each other.
Lerim ordered silence and even the resistance and the Animorphs listened. I have more important matters to attend to, he announced. I will trust your judgment from here on, War-Prince Carfaril. Make sure you do not disappoint me.
The hologram was turned off and disappeared in a gleam of white.
Now, War-Prince, Larynia said, hands on her hips - or where her hips would have been if she'd been human. Let the humans take care of the Visser.
The human lives, Carfaril said. But I still want the Visser dead.
He will be, Ax promised.
Nemsar thought-sighed with relief when his hooves were again back on the Yeerkbane. Samaron came to meet him, concern on his face, Olana and Minalea following - probably coming to greet Larynia. And when they noticed that Larynia wasn't there they naturally got worried.
Where's Larynia? Olana asked.
Another transport? Minalea guessed hopefully.
Nemsar shook his head, at the same time motioning for the group of warriors in the transport to pass by, but before he managed to say anything Samaron spoke.
Captain, Samaron said. We have a… problem.
What? Nemsar asked. Did my sister's friends cause any trouble?
Would we do that? Minalea wondered innocently.
No, Samaron said. They quieted down. By the time the battle began, they knew to keep out of our way.
He threatened to have us shoved out an airlock, Olana clarified.
Samaron sent her a stalk-glare. Could you two leave us so that I can discuss an important matter with my captain?
Where's Larynia? Minalea asked again, this time more firmly.
Still on the planet, Nemsar said.
Alone?
No. My blackbanded elite troop is down there as well. She's in good hands. Now go play somewhere else.
Minalea darkened and there was a flash of anger in Olana's main eyes. But at Samaron's stern glare they both turned and trotted away.
What is this about? Nemsar said in private thought-speech.
The humans, captain, Samaron replied, also in private thought-speech. They're gone. Vanished without a trace.
Nemsar nodded. I suspected so.
But that wouldn't be a problem, if… Samaron hesitated, stalks darting around before he continued, and even in private thought-speech his voice was lowered to a whisper; We still have the Time Matrix, captain. What do we do with the Time Matrix?
Nemsar's expression flickered from his normal Prince-captain calm to something similar to worry. Good question, Samaron, he said.
The TO nodded. We cannot dispose of it, he reasoned. Or try to hide it. Too risky. Who knows who it might end up with? Maybe it, by a stroke of bad luck, gets into Yeerk hands. That would be fatal.
We cannot destruct it, either, Nemsar pointed out.
Samaron glanced at his captain with his main eyes. One hoof lifted off the floor, restlessly, but was firmly put down again. That only leaves one option, captain. We need to keep it.
Until we figure out what to do with it. Nemsar nodded grimly. Who knows we have it?
You, I, fighter pilot Merin and your blackbanded elite troop.
All of which can be trusted. And no-one else will find out. Understood? No-one.
Yes, captain.
The Time Matrix will stay on the ship, Nemsar said. But only we, my brother and the blackbands will know it even exists. Only we and the blackbands will be here to guard it. he sighed heavily. It looks like we have a lifelong obligation here, Samaron.
Yes, captain, Samaron agreed. It seems so.
"The War Council," Jake said again. "I can't believe it. I still can't believe it."
Start believing, Marco suggested. You saw it yourself. I saw it. Cassie saw it. And Rachel, Tobias, Ax, Larynia, and everyone else in the pool area. Even the Yeerks must have been impressed.
Larynia's tail flew forwards. It stopped a millimetre from Marco's face. His four eyes blinked and only then did his own tail start moving. Larynia swiped it out of it's path with an exasperated expression.
Distracted again! she exclaimed. Concentrate! Focus! What will it take to get that in under your thick skull? Do I have to cut it open and shove it in with my bare hands?
"I wonder when the War Council decided we were a priority," Jake continued, ignoring the two.
"I wonder when that group of loonies realised we existed," Rachel muttered, at which Larynia shot a sharp glare at her.
Jake nodded, deep in thoughts. Cassie wrinkled her forehead as he stretched after his cup of tea. She slapped his hand away and wordlessly handed him the cup.
"I'm fine, Cassie!" Jake said, rolling his eyes as he took it.
"No use," Tobias said with a smile. "She's decided to treat you like a baby. No force in the universe could stop her."
Rachel shrugged. "Not that it's anything you disapprove of, Tobias."
"Of course not," Tobias said hurriedly. Rachel, sitting next to his in the sofa, leaned her head against his shoulder with a content smile.
"I was infested by a Yeerk Visser, who had to be starved out," Jake said. "I happened to get a slight cold directly afterwards. Nothing worse than that. Nothing I can't deal with. It doesn't mean I'm made of glass."
No, Marco agreed. Although you're kinda transparent.
Larynia struck again and again Marco failed to block it. The female Andalite rolled her stalks towards the roof with a Why me? before she turned on her back hooves and left the room, muttering to herself, face dark.
Jake grinned broadly. "I'm transparent, huh? Look who's talking."
What? Marco began to demorph.
Rachel lifted her head up and nodded. "You're certainly taking your time losing that bet. Right now, you couldn't defend yourself against a bunny with that tail. It's her, isn't it? You like getting on her nerves with your dumbness."
'Taking my time'? Do you know how much practice it takes to avoid blocking a tail-blade coming at your face?
"It's deeper than that," Cassie said. "It's not getting on her nerves he likes. It's her."
Not really, Marco said, stalks flickering towards the ground.
Cassie and Rachel exchanged one of those looks that any male would know meant trouble.
"Ax?" Cassie said. "What's your opinion?"
On what? Ax asked. And added; Stay in morph, Marco. I want to show you something.
"On Marco's sudden inability to learn."
You mean it's something new? Ax grinned and said, more seriously; I believe it is Marco's problem if he wants to chase Andalite females. But in that case, he better learn to tail-fight. Marco? Tail in attack. Aim this time, please. Last time you almost cut my face open. Strike.
Marco delivered a perfect strike. Ax parried, switched to attack faster than any eye could follow, and his tail fwapped forwards. Marco attempted a block but failed, since Ax's strike was formed to twist to the side half-way, and it flew past untouched. The blade came to a quivering halt at the root of Marco's tail.
See that? Ax asked.
Yep, Marco replied.
Show me. Ax struck. Marco blocked, switched to attack and copied the evasive twist, easily getting past Ax's block.
Good, Ax admitted. Again.
At Marco's sudden skill with his tail, Rachel and Cassie exchanged another look. Cassie began saying something, but right then the leader of Nemsar's blackbands came in, moving more tensely than usual, as any Andalite unaccustomed to the confinement in a house. His name was Saytaar-Lemitir-Dassauri, and he was one of the seven Andalites who's DNA Marco had borrowed for his Frolis Manoeuvre.
We're leaving now, Saytaar announced. The transports have arrived. Aristh Aximili… a smile appeared, on a face obviously not used to smiling Pardon me. I almost forgot. Prince-captain Nemsar had you promoted to warrior status. It is not official yet, but… Aximili, you have been stationed on the Yeerkbane until further notice. The Yeerkbane will be hunting Yeerks out of this system.
"And Earth?" Tobias asked.
Four ships - two Dome ships and two Alacrity ships - will remain here to help you fight off the remaining Yeerks. As well as a surface based warrior squadron of 250 veteran warriors, under the command of Prince Ralgafir. He will be in contact with you, of course.
Jake nodded, considering that to be very generous, coming from a fleet that just days before hadn't sent as much as a fighter to help.
No Quantum viruses, I hope? Marco joked.
Saytaar shook his head, forehead wrinkled, seeing nothing funny at all in the question.
Human humour, Ax explained.
Saytaar flicked his tail to show it didn't matter, and said to Jake; Good luck with freeing the rest of your planet. A look of uncertainty passed over his face. Just one more thing. Prince-captain Nemsar would like to know where his sister is.
I'm staying here, Saytaar, Larynia announced calmly as she re-entered the room. If that is okay with Prince Jake.
Saytaar probably didn't approve of the new way she addressed the human, but he didn't say anything.
"Fine by me," Jake said, shrugging.
And if Nemsar and Merin don't like it, they can come down here and argue with me face to face, she continued. Or tail to tail.
Saytaar nodded. I will forward that message. Aximili? Time to leave.
Aximili nodded sadly. His main eyes went from one Animorph to the next. From one of the people he had fought next to for a total of about ten years, to the next. From the one who's life he had saved one day, to the one who had saved his the next. He tried a wavering smile, and when his eyes reached Jake he straightened up. My Prince.
"You can go, Ax," Jake said silently. "You've got my permission. Relieved from duty."
Thank you, my Prince. And, to you all, good luck and go-
Don't say that word! Marco barked. I HATE that word.
Then what should I say?
Cassie smiled, understanding Marco perfectly. She stood up, walked up to Ax, took his hand and squeezed it. "I'll see you later, Ax-man," she said.
Ax looked surprised, like he wanted to object, but then a calm came over his face and he smiled. Yes. I will see you all soon.
Larynia stretched out her tail and Ax did the same. The blades touched briefly. Ax let go of Cassie's hand and smiled again, turned around and followed Saytaar out of the room.
"I'll send a cinnabon as soon as they start making them again!" Tobias promised.
Ax's stalks turned back. Do so, he said. And I will make sure you get to meet your grandparents sometime. I'll get you all to see my planet.
"It's a deal," Rachel laughed.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Probably Author's Briefest Note Ever:
Don't forget to read the Epilogue.
The biggest commotion during the battle of the pool must have been when Visser One tried to escape. There were far too many Andalites for any one of them to know or recognize all the others, and the Andalite-Controller hid among them, fighting with them, making sure no-one got more than a quick glance of his face. If anyone suspected anything, they didn't have time or chance to think further about it before the Andalite-Controller was lost in the sea of Andalites versus Hork-Bajir and Taxxons - and even human-Controllers.
It would have worked, if not for the rebels. Each and every one of them knew to recognize the Visser's - or more properly Alloran's - face. And finally one of them suddenly growled and leaped at the Andalite-Controller, roaring "Visser!".
The reaction was instantaneous. And when Visser One's tail flashed down to end the rebel who had clenched his hands around the Andalite-Controller's throat, three real Andalites were there to stop it. Five other Andalites fought him down and cleared an area around him.
War-Prince Carfaril-Semithuril-Althagij was called to inspect the prisoner. As well as being responsible for the entire mission, he was a relative of Alloran and had dealt with Visser One many times before. And when he confirmed Alloran's identity, a roar of victory was heard from rebels and Andalites alike.
A formal execution was to be held. Hork-Bajir stormed forwards to save their Visser but were held back by a circle of moonblades that hovered above.
Alloran and the Yeerk in his head were saved by Prince-captain Nemsar, who stepped forwards and bowed to the War-Prince. My cousin was killed by this creature, he reminded the crowd. My cousin, Prince Elfangor. I feel that the one to end Visser One should be his younger brother, Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthil, to restore his honour.
War-Prince Carfaril, seeing nothing wrong with the suggestion, agreed immediately. He ordered aristh Aximili found and brought to him.
With Aximili came the group of humans known as the Animorphs. Aximili was a bit unsteady, trembling, being among the top of the Andalite military all of a sudden, and receiving all their attention, after only being the only Andalite in the war of Earth for such a long time - as well as still being a lowly aristh.
But when War-Prince Carfaril ordered him to finish what "the Andalite fleet should have done a long time ago", he hesitated, tail in attack and his main eyes watching the stubbornly silent and motionless Andalite-Controller with uncertainty.
Prince Jake? he said. The Andalites muttered a few harsh words - human being a Prince, what nonsense, the aristh needed a few good lessons in…
"Do as they ask, Ax," Jake said and nodded.
That's not it, Ax said. This… this Andalite-Controller. It is not Visser One.
Rachel's eyes narrowed. "You see it too, do you?" she said. "I knew there was something different about him."
What are you talking about? War-Prince Carfaril demanded. Finish your task, aristh, or I'll have someone else do it. I am not a patient Andalite.
"We've noticed," Marco said dryly. "But I'm with Ax. That's not Visser One. It's the wrong… wrong expression. Wrong attitude. Wrong way of standing - everything's wrong." He shuddered. "I know that nutcase when I see him, and that's not him."
"Are you sure?" Cassie asked.
Ax, Rachel, Marco and Tobias all nodded. "You if anyone should notice," Tobias said to Cassie.
Is this true? Carfaril asked the Andalite-Controller.
Alloran's face sneered. But then he nodded. It is so, he said. I am Rheith. And you, Andalite scum, will never find the glorious Visser now!
Cassie sighed, almost with relief. "Good to know that," she said. "Cause this is not Jake, either." And she quickly got out of his reach to stand next to Rachel, who stepped in between them and clenched her fists warningly when Jake grabbed after Cassie's arm.
Jake pulled back from Rachel's hostile glare. "Cass… what are you talking about?"
Cassie shook her head. "No use," she said. "You can't fool me. I know Jake. Jake would have reacted in a completely different way if he'd met me in that tunnel like that."
"But, Cassie…"
"No dead bodies in the tunnel, after you supposedly been heavily guarded and escaped from it. No alive guards, either, just a clear route out," she continued, ignoring him. "Unnatural. I could smell it; it was too easy. But it was the paw that convinced me. You think I don't recognize a tiger's bite when I see one? Very clever, Yeerk, but you should have asked one of your Hork-Bajir to cut it for you instead."
Alloran's face was unreadable, while Jake's eyes had grown dark. Cassie crossed her arms over her chest with a sad, determined expression.
This is the Visser? Carfaril said, watching Jake.
"Perhaps," Cassie said. "It's a Controller."
"And Rheith?" Marco wondered, nodding towards the Andalite-Controller.
"Some sub-Visser, probably," Rachel guessed. "Starve the Yeerk out and you'll have Alloran back," she told the Andalites. "If you want him back, that is. From what I heard, he wasn't always so nice."
That is up to us, Carfaril growled. He was still watching Jake. Tell me, Yeerk, who are you?
"Who cares who I am? You'll kill me anyway, thanks to this human." He stabbed a finger at Cassie, and then glared at the War-Prince. "Won't you, War-Prince Carfaril? Strike first and ask questions later, that's our War-Prince. Just like Alloran, huh? Always wondered which of you was the worst."
Carfaril straightened up and his tail swooped gracefully into attack. There was no way he could mistake that sneer, that tone of voice, may it be disguised as Andalite or human or anything else. And there was no way he intended to ever meet that sneer or that tone of voice again. Visser.
"Maybe so," spat Jake.
Aristh Aximili? There is your brother's murderer. You know what to do.
Ax didn't even cock his tail. He shook his head. No, he said. The Visser will have to be starved out.
What are you saying, aristh?! Carfaril shouted. I! Want! That! Yeerk! Dead!
You better do as you're told, Aximili, Nemsar advised silently in private thought-speech. He's not funny when he's angry. Do as he says.
Ax refused. I will strike the Yeerk, he declared, but added softer, stalks lowered; Not the host.
Do you defy a direct order from your War-Prince?!
"Hey," Rachel said. "I don't know what you know about our Ax-man here, but that" she pointed at Jake "happens to be his entire chain of command. His Prince, if you couldn't figure it out. As well as my cousin. Not one of the Animorphs or the rebels want to see him infested. But none want him dead, either. So BACK OFF!!"
An agreeing mumble was heard from the rebels, and here and there in the crowd, a morphable started morphing - to their battlemorphs.
"You should have left them in their cages," Rachel snapped. "Because when angry, they're not a pleasant bunch."
Carfaril didn't look concerned about the humans, which made Rachel's face darken further. She didn't seem to know if she should attack Carfaril or the Yeerk that had taken over her cousin first.
"Jake's been infested once before," Tobias said, as Cassie put a hand on Rachel's arm to calm her down. Rachel shook it off. "We handled it then. We can handle it now."
I'm sure you can. But I am the War-Prince here. As such, I take orders only from the War Council itself. One of my orders was to put an end to the Yeerk called Visser One. I don't care if he's in a Gedd, Taxxon, Hork-Bajir, human or Andalite. I want him dead! Is that clear, aristh Aximili?
Ax didn't move. Carfaril quivered, about to explode again. But he said, in a very controlled voice; If you will not, you aristh keerach, I shall kill him myself.
His tail flashed.
Jake - or the Yeerk in his head - did not have time to move.
Ax's tail was grabbed by Nemsar, reminding him not to intervene.
Carfaril's tail-blade swooped downwards.
It was blocked just a few centimetres from Jake's head by the small, sleek blade of a female. Carfaril's eyes flashed with surprise as Larynia danced in between him and the infested leader of the resistance, and the surprise turned to fury as she skilfully forced him to back away.
I don't know who promoted you to War-Prince, she said. But you don't have the mental control for it. We all know what happened between you and Visser One. You've got too many emotions. And you can't keep a single one of them in check.
Larynia! Nemsar shouted. What are you doing? Get out of his way!
Oh, shut up.
Who do you think you are? Carfaril demanded.
Not one of your arisths, Larynia replied. So don't try to boss me around. I'm with the humans and Aximili. Starve the Yeerk out, spare the host. Death from Kandrona starvation is said to be very… unpleasant. A painful, slow death instead of a quick one. I know I'm not in your chain of command, but you sure as four moons aren't in mine. And since this happens to be an infested human, it is for the humans to deal with.
"I almost feel honoured," Jake said. "Good Andalite. Good female. Sign my release form as well, thank you."
Larynia ignored the Yeerk. She was busy watching Carfaril; if he had had teeth, they would have been gritted down to powder by then. He was steaming. Remove her!
Nemsar's fingers twitched into fists that opened again immediately. He didn't seem aware of it, but he was probably aware of the two Andalite warriors that closed in on Larynia, one from each side.
But Larynia simply leaped out of the first one's way, and struck with the flat of her blade at the his head. He slumped together. The second turned to face her, tail swiping long before hers was even back in defence.
Hold your position, Prince Nemsar! Carfaril barked as Nemsar took a step forwards. A pair of arisths blocked Ax's way just as quickly.
Nemsar shuddered, but froze where he was. Retreat! he ordered.
The remaining warrior backed away automatically. Larynia took a step back to where she had stood first, tail up in attack again, watching her opponent with calculating main eyes.
"Good one," Rachel congratulated in a low voice.
No. It'll do us little good, Larynia disagreed. I just made him mad. If you want your Prince to still be alive for another hour, we need to think of something. Quickly.
Nemsar was honoured by a poisonous glare from the War-Prince. NEVER do that again, he warned, in a voice that made a good number of the arisths as well as some warriors feel uneasy. You heard me?
Nemsar agreed by bowing his head, after a short pause, and Carfaril accepted it by flicking his tail to the side and saying; And now, Prince Nemsar; if your sister is not out of my way in the next moment, I must warn you that there is a certain risk to her good health.
A short pause, during which Larynia stretched up to her full height and glared at the War-Prince.
Larynia! Nemsar roared, using his Prince-captain voice. Don't you realize what you're doing? You're protecting a condemned prisoner. A condemned Yeerk prisoner!
SHUT UP, Nemsar! I know exactly what I'm doing. I'm sentencing the Yeerk to a slow, painful death and saving an innocent host.
Get out of the War-Prince's way this instant, Nemsar growled.
Or else? Larynia replied, challenging, elegantly cocking her tail.
Nemsar hesitated. But, gathering his courage, he threw himself forwards. Straight into his sister. She would have gotten out of his way in time, if she'd had more space to move. But next to her on the floor was still the unconscious warrior, behind her was Jake, and the Animorphs, and in front of her was Carfaril. The flat of her tail struck his side with all her strength, but it didn't slow him down.
The momentum and impact sent them both rolling. A few Andalites leaped out of their way as Nemsar got to his feet - quicker than Larynia, since he'd been prepared for it - and, before she had gotten up, lay down on top of her, locked her tail-blade against the floor in his own and calmly brought both her hands up behind her back and held them in place. Larynia thrashed and kicked, stalks circling madly, but, lying on her side and realising just how much heavier than her Nemsar really was, she couldn't get up.
There's a first, Ax said silently.
"I didn't know Andalites did wrestling!" Marco exclaimed.
We don't, Ax informed him.
Carfaril nodded grimly. Good, Prince Nemsar. Make sure she stays there.
Nemsar didn't answer, but more importantly; he didn't disagree.
Jake took a step back as Carfaril turned towards him. Black and orange fur sprouted on his fingers, racing up his arms and along his entire body, as the Yeerk in him focused on the tiger.
"He's morphing!" Tobias warned, unnecessarily.
Carfaril's tail fwapped forwards for the killing strike.
Jake, half-tiger, half-human, dove out of the way with tiger speed and when he came up the last parts of him were melting into tiger. He was on all fours, ears back, lip curled, head lowered and snarling. Keep back!
"Ehm, Carfaril, or whatever your name was," Marco said. He was morphing, as the others - except for Tobias, now a human nothlit - and a few steps backed away. "I strongly advice you to do as he says."
Nonsense! Carfaril said. He took a step forwards, preparing a strike.
Jake leaped. About as fast as Carfaril could strike, his claws had adorned the War-Prince's face with four new, deep, bleeding cuts. Jake returned to his place on the ground. He almost avoided Carfaril's tail, that only left a small cut over his left front leg. I know how fast you strike, Carfaril, he said mockingly. I also know that, in this host, in this morph, I am just as fast.
Before anyone could stop him, Jake had leaped again. Carfaril's tail was back in attack, and he manage to slash across the tiger's shoulders, but not much smaller than a truck stops a leaping tiger.
Bared teeth, jaws wide open, and claws ready, the tiger flew at Carfaril's unprotected throat.
A beam of light!
Jake was stopped right in front of the War-Prince's face, centimetres from it. Centimetres that grew when Carfaril backed half a step away, preparing a strike.
Jake - twitching and struggling, kicking wildly in open air - flew upwards, in a perfectly straight line, up to the belly of one of the sleek moonblade fighters.
Tractor beam, Ax explained.
I wouldn't care what it's called, Cassie said. The important thing is, who's got Jake and the Visser now?
Carfaril's main eyes followed the tiger upwards, towards the fighter, tail twitching. Put him down!
War-Prince Carfaril, Merin's voice said. I believe, with all due respect, that a reconsideration would be wise.
Who are you?!!
Fighter pilot Merin-Arethil-Coorat.
Since when does a simple fighter pilot tell a War-Prince what to do?! Carfaril raged. Put that Yeerk scum down!
Merin! Don't you dare! Larynia shouted.
I contacted the Head of Council, Lerim-Arrepoth-Terrouss, Merin said calmly. You might remember saying that you only take orders from the War Council. War-Prince, the War Council has orders to give. Will you listen?
Carfaril's face was dark but he had lowered his tail and assumed a respectful pose. Of course. On screen.
A hologram shimmered into existence in front of Merin's moonblade fighter. Head of Council Lerim's well-known stern face appeared on it, all four eyes searched out and focused on Carfaril, his gaze like icy spears.
War-Prince! he thundered. Carfaril stayed still. I heard what you were trying to do. And I am not pleased! Do you hear me?!
Yes, Carfaril said. A few of the warriors and arisths standing around him carefully moved away, as not to attract the Head of Council's furious gaze.
So you can listen, after all. Good. Continue doing that, because here are your orders; make sure that human stays ALIVE.
I like him, Rachel said with a grizzly grin.
Carfaril didn't even twitch. Why, if I may ask?
No you may not ask, War-Prince. You've got your orders. Now make sure you follow them. OR I WILL PERSONALLY COME DOWN THERE AND DEMOTE YOUR SORRY TAIL TO RUNNING ERRANDS FOR AN ARISTH!!!! Do you understand, War-Prince Carfaril?
Understood, Carfaril confirmed sourly. But what about the Yeerk? The Visser?
Don't bother me with details, War-Prince, Lerim said coldly, and then the entire pool area recoiled as he continued in a voice to blow mountains away; STARVE HIM! IS THERE SOMETHING IN THAT SENTENCE YOU HAVE DIFFICULTY COMPREHENDING?!!!
No, Lerim, Carfaril managed in a little more shaky tone of voice.
Lerim's stalks flicked away to the sides, scanning the pool area, while his main eyes watched Carfaril critically. Fighter pilot Merin, he said finally. I thank you for informing me about this… situation. his stalks stopped travelling around the pool area and he formed a typical Andalite eyes-only smile. Prince Nemsar.
Yes, Nemsar confirmed.
You can let your sister up now, Prince Nemsar, Lerim continued. That is no way to treat a lady.
Nemsar did as he was told, going as far as stretching down a hand to help Larynia back on her hooves. Larynia swiped his hand away with the flat of her blade, got up and promptly turned her back to him. She smiled her sweetest smile at Lerim and bowed her head down respectfully. The Head of Council is correct, Nemsar, she said, almost purring. Absolutely not the way to treat a lady. she honoured her brother with a triumphant stalk-glare sharp as a tail-blade.
Yeah, treat the ladies with respect, Marco said with fake cheerfulness. Even the one's who'll chop your head off if they don't like you.
What an excellent idea, Larynia snapped, turning towards the gorilla, tail raised. Let me try it.
I don't think we should go that far… Marco objected.
Rachel laughed. Ax and a number of rebels joined in, while the rest of the Andalites glanced uncertainly at each other.
Lerim ordered silence and even the resistance and the Animorphs listened. I have more important matters to attend to, he announced. I will trust your judgment from here on, War-Prince Carfaril. Make sure you do not disappoint me.
The hologram was turned off and disappeared in a gleam of white.
Now, War-Prince, Larynia said, hands on her hips - or where her hips would have been if she'd been human. Let the humans take care of the Visser.
The human lives, Carfaril said. But I still want the Visser dead.
He will be, Ax promised.
Nemsar thought-sighed with relief when his hooves were again back on the Yeerkbane. Samaron came to meet him, concern on his face, Olana and Minalea following - probably coming to greet Larynia. And when they noticed that Larynia wasn't there they naturally got worried.
Where's Larynia? Olana asked.
Another transport? Minalea guessed hopefully.
Nemsar shook his head, at the same time motioning for the group of warriors in the transport to pass by, but before he managed to say anything Samaron spoke.
Captain, Samaron said. We have a… problem.
What? Nemsar asked. Did my sister's friends cause any trouble?
Would we do that? Minalea wondered innocently.
No, Samaron said. They quieted down. By the time the battle began, they knew to keep out of our way.
He threatened to have us shoved out an airlock, Olana clarified.
Samaron sent her a stalk-glare. Could you two leave us so that I can discuss an important matter with my captain?
Where's Larynia? Minalea asked again, this time more firmly.
Still on the planet, Nemsar said.
Alone?
No. My blackbanded elite troop is down there as well. She's in good hands. Now go play somewhere else.
Minalea darkened and there was a flash of anger in Olana's main eyes. But at Samaron's stern glare they both turned and trotted away.
What is this about? Nemsar said in private thought-speech.
The humans, captain, Samaron replied, also in private thought-speech. They're gone. Vanished without a trace.
Nemsar nodded. I suspected so.
But that wouldn't be a problem, if… Samaron hesitated, stalks darting around before he continued, and even in private thought-speech his voice was lowered to a whisper; We still have the Time Matrix, captain. What do we do with the Time Matrix?
Nemsar's expression flickered from his normal Prince-captain calm to something similar to worry. Good question, Samaron, he said.
The TO nodded. We cannot dispose of it, he reasoned. Or try to hide it. Too risky. Who knows who it might end up with? Maybe it, by a stroke of bad luck, gets into Yeerk hands. That would be fatal.
We cannot destruct it, either, Nemsar pointed out.
Samaron glanced at his captain with his main eyes. One hoof lifted off the floor, restlessly, but was firmly put down again. That only leaves one option, captain. We need to keep it.
Until we figure out what to do with it. Nemsar nodded grimly. Who knows we have it?
You, I, fighter pilot Merin and your blackbanded elite troop.
All of which can be trusted. And no-one else will find out. Understood? No-one.
Yes, captain.
The Time Matrix will stay on the ship, Nemsar said. But only we, my brother and the blackbands will know it even exists. Only we and the blackbands will be here to guard it. he sighed heavily. It looks like we have a lifelong obligation here, Samaron.
Yes, captain, Samaron agreed. It seems so.
"The War Council," Jake said again. "I can't believe it. I still can't believe it."
Start believing, Marco suggested. You saw it yourself. I saw it. Cassie saw it. And Rachel, Tobias, Ax, Larynia, and everyone else in the pool area. Even the Yeerks must have been impressed.
Larynia's tail flew forwards. It stopped a millimetre from Marco's face. His four eyes blinked and only then did his own tail start moving. Larynia swiped it out of it's path with an exasperated expression.
Distracted again! she exclaimed. Concentrate! Focus! What will it take to get that in under your thick skull? Do I have to cut it open and shove it in with my bare hands?
"I wonder when the War Council decided we were a priority," Jake continued, ignoring the two.
"I wonder when that group of loonies realised we existed," Rachel muttered, at which Larynia shot a sharp glare at her.
Jake nodded, deep in thoughts. Cassie wrinkled her forehead as he stretched after his cup of tea. She slapped his hand away and wordlessly handed him the cup.
"I'm fine, Cassie!" Jake said, rolling his eyes as he took it.
"No use," Tobias said with a smile. "She's decided to treat you like a baby. No force in the universe could stop her."
Rachel shrugged. "Not that it's anything you disapprove of, Tobias."
"Of course not," Tobias said hurriedly. Rachel, sitting next to his in the sofa, leaned her head against his shoulder with a content smile.
"I was infested by a Yeerk Visser, who had to be starved out," Jake said. "I happened to get a slight cold directly afterwards. Nothing worse than that. Nothing I can't deal with. It doesn't mean I'm made of glass."
No, Marco agreed. Although you're kinda transparent.
Larynia struck again and again Marco failed to block it. The female Andalite rolled her stalks towards the roof with a Why me? before she turned on her back hooves and left the room, muttering to herself, face dark.
Jake grinned broadly. "I'm transparent, huh? Look who's talking."
What? Marco began to demorph.
Rachel lifted her head up and nodded. "You're certainly taking your time losing that bet. Right now, you couldn't defend yourself against a bunny with that tail. It's her, isn't it? You like getting on her nerves with your dumbness."
'Taking my time'? Do you know how much practice it takes to avoid blocking a tail-blade coming at your face?
"It's deeper than that," Cassie said. "It's not getting on her nerves he likes. It's her."
Not really, Marco said, stalks flickering towards the ground.
Cassie and Rachel exchanged one of those looks that any male would know meant trouble.
"Ax?" Cassie said. "What's your opinion?"
On what? Ax asked. And added; Stay in morph, Marco. I want to show you something.
"On Marco's sudden inability to learn."
You mean it's something new? Ax grinned and said, more seriously; I believe it is Marco's problem if he wants to chase Andalite females. But in that case, he better learn to tail-fight. Marco? Tail in attack. Aim this time, please. Last time you almost cut my face open. Strike.
Marco delivered a perfect strike. Ax parried, switched to attack faster than any eye could follow, and his tail fwapped forwards. Marco attempted a block but failed, since Ax's strike was formed to twist to the side half-way, and it flew past untouched. The blade came to a quivering halt at the root of Marco's tail.
See that? Ax asked.
Yep, Marco replied.
Show me. Ax struck. Marco blocked, switched to attack and copied the evasive twist, easily getting past Ax's block.
Good, Ax admitted. Again.
At Marco's sudden skill with his tail, Rachel and Cassie exchanged another look. Cassie began saying something, but right then the leader of Nemsar's blackbands came in, moving more tensely than usual, as any Andalite unaccustomed to the confinement in a house. His name was Saytaar-Lemitir-Dassauri, and he was one of the seven Andalites who's DNA Marco had borrowed for his Frolis Manoeuvre.
We're leaving now, Saytaar announced. The transports have arrived. Aristh Aximili… a smile appeared, on a face obviously not used to smiling Pardon me. I almost forgot. Prince-captain Nemsar had you promoted to warrior status. It is not official yet, but… Aximili, you have been stationed on the Yeerkbane until further notice. The Yeerkbane will be hunting Yeerks out of this system.
"And Earth?" Tobias asked.
Four ships - two Dome ships and two Alacrity ships - will remain here to help you fight off the remaining Yeerks. As well as a surface based warrior squadron of 250 veteran warriors, under the command of Prince Ralgafir. He will be in contact with you, of course.
Jake nodded, considering that to be very generous, coming from a fleet that just days before hadn't sent as much as a fighter to help.
No Quantum viruses, I hope? Marco joked.
Saytaar shook his head, forehead wrinkled, seeing nothing funny at all in the question.
Human humour, Ax explained.
Saytaar flicked his tail to show it didn't matter, and said to Jake; Good luck with freeing the rest of your planet. A look of uncertainty passed over his face. Just one more thing. Prince-captain Nemsar would like to know where his sister is.
I'm staying here, Saytaar, Larynia announced calmly as she re-entered the room. If that is okay with Prince Jake.
Saytaar probably didn't approve of the new way she addressed the human, but he didn't say anything.
"Fine by me," Jake said, shrugging.
And if Nemsar and Merin don't like it, they can come down here and argue with me face to face, she continued. Or tail to tail.
Saytaar nodded. I will forward that message. Aximili? Time to leave.
Aximili nodded sadly. His main eyes went from one Animorph to the next. From one of the people he had fought next to for a total of about ten years, to the next. From the one who's life he had saved one day, to the one who had saved his the next. He tried a wavering smile, and when his eyes reached Jake he straightened up. My Prince.
"You can go, Ax," Jake said silently. "You've got my permission. Relieved from duty."
Thank you, my Prince. And, to you all, good luck and go-
Don't say that word! Marco barked. I HATE that word.
Then what should I say?
Cassie smiled, understanding Marco perfectly. She stood up, walked up to Ax, took his hand and squeezed it. "I'll see you later, Ax-man," she said.
Ax looked surprised, like he wanted to object, but then a calm came over his face and he smiled. Yes. I will see you all soon.
Larynia stretched out her tail and Ax did the same. The blades touched briefly. Ax let go of Cassie's hand and smiled again, turned around and followed Saytaar out of the room.
"I'll send a cinnabon as soon as they start making them again!" Tobias promised.
Ax's stalks turned back. Do so, he said. And I will make sure you get to meet your grandparents sometime. I'll get you all to see my planet.
"It's a deal," Rachel laughed.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Probably Author's Briefest Note Ever:
Don't forget to read the Epilogue.
